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NCAAF Betting Noews: Oregon Ducks reload at the quarterback position

Since Chip Kelly arrived in Eugene back in 2007, quarterback play has rarely been an issue for the Oregon Ducks. He's had three starters (Dennis Dixon, Jeremiah Masoli and Darron Thomas) and all them thrived in his high-octane offense. A lot of that success came as a result of the tremendous offensive lines the Ducks routinely pumped out (3 starters and 65 career starts back this season). Heading into 2012, Kelly is faced with breaking in yet another signal caller. The race is between sophomore Bryan Bennett and redshirt freshman Marcus Mariota. Bennett played in eight games last season (369 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INTs) while Mariota performed well during spring practice.

“I’m not opposed to playing two quarterbacks,” Kelly said. “Everywhere I’ve been it’s always shaken itself out that one kid has emerged.”

“It doesn’t really benefit us to anoint somebody today,” Kelly said. “We really need to get them to understand that there’s

College Football ATS Notes: Cal does what it can to prepare for Oregon

Last year, Cal held Oregon to a season low 15 points in a 15-13 Ducks win in Berkley. Both teams enter off of a bye for Thursday's primetime contest. Cal head coach Jeff Tedford said the team did a good job of simulating a fast tempo in practice this week. No confirmation on whether or not the Golden Bears will utilize the old phantom injury trick to slow down the Ducks.

"We did a lot of up-tempo stuff," head coach Jeff Tedford said of Tuesday's practice. "The only thing they haven't seen is the speed at which it happens. That's why it's important (to get) as close as you can to simulating it. Last year, I thought we did a good job of simulating it."

Marty Otto’s Betting Take: This is the biggest game of the weekend and one that potentially carries national title implications. It would be refreshing to focus on the matchups on the field but with both starting quarterbacks running into trouble with the law much of the pregame hype has been centered on eligibility issues. Jordan Jefferson is suspended for LSU which scoots backup Jarrett Lee into the starting gig. As much as Tigers fans and some in the media like to hate on Jefferson for his poor decision making as a passer, he at least added another dimension to his game with his ability to run (seven rushing TDs last season, second leading rusher). Lee is a career 54% passer Read more

College Football Gambling: 5Dimes goes lone wolf on Oregon/LSU game

5Dimes appears to be the only offshore sportsbook currently offering a line on the Oregon/LSU matchup. The game was pulled off the board last Tuesday when word broke that Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas may be suspended after it was discovered he was in the vehicle when cornerback Cliff Harris (suspended) was busted for driving nearly 120 mph. Oregon head coach Chip Kelly later said Thomas wouldn't be suspended but before the books could react, the media caught wind of the LSU bar brawl. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson was suspended earlier today leaving Jarrett Lee as the starter – Lee's been around the block with 2,643 yards, 18 TDs and 18 INTs in three years. LSU will also lose the services of wide receiver Russell Shepard (33 catches, 254 yards) who was ironically tied to the Willie Lyles recruiting fiasco.

Oregon originally opened as a -2/-2.5 point favorite which was bet down to -1 prior to Thomas' potential suspension. According to Sports Option's line history, 5Dimes reopened the game Oregon -1 on Thursday which was bet up to -2.5 before settling in at its current number of -2. With Jefferson officially out, we assume the remainder of the offshore world will pop up their numbers shortly. Despite all of the brew-ha-ha, it appears come game day the line won't be too far off of what the Golden Nugget released back in mid-June (Oregon -3) and what the books were offering prior to the arrests/suspensions. Stay tuned.

NCAAF Betting Alert: LSU's Jefferson questionable after bar brawl

The LSU/Oregon game got a little more interesting following last night's bar fight involving Jordan Jefferson and other Tiger players. The Baton Rogue police department said that four people were sent to the hospital. The incident occurred in between 1:30-2 am at a local drinking establishment called – we’re not making this up – Shady’s. Oddsmakers and bettors didn’t have to scramble once word broke with the game currently off the board due to Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas’ own issues with the law.

"Jordan Jefferson has been implicated as being involved as well as other football players, who have not been specifically identified yet. We're not calling Jefferson a suspect. We're not calling him a victim. We don't know how much he was involved, but we're getting a lot of information leading us in that direction."

Sportsbooks react to situations with Oregon and Miami-Florida

Sportsbooks reacting to two potentially impactful situations with Oregon/LSU and Miami (FL)/Maryland matchups currently off the board. News broke yesterday that Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas was in the car during Cliff Harris’ infamous 118 mph late night jaunt. According to Ducks head coach Chip Kelly however, Thomas will not be suspended or even disciplined. Nevertheless, offshore and Vegas sportsbooks are currently no longer offering odds on the game.

Meanwhile, Miami is in hot water after an incarcerated Ponzi schemer recently came forth and said he kept as many as 72 Hurricane football players "afloat" over and eight year stretch. And by Read more

Betting Preview: Oregon Ducks at USC Trojans

This game will generate just a little interest and betting action, wouldn’t you say? The no. 1 team in the land waddles their way to LA as the Oregon Ducks (7-0) try to remain unbeaten and on top of the Pac-10 and college football world. In their way is UCS (5-2), ranked no. 24 in the polls and not eligible for post season play due to NCAA ban. This is the Trojans bowl game, and tune in on ABC tonight to see if the Trojans can pull the upset.

These two teams were the favorites to win the Pac-10 title by many experts. No doubt Oregon has earned their high ranking and praise, as the Ducks are speed and scoring animals running the spread offense averaging 55 points per game and over 560 yards per game. Note however that in two road games on grass at Tennessee and Arizona State, the Ducks averaged 45 points per game and 416 yards offense. And it was raining in Los Angeles Saturday morning. Oregon does have solid speed on defense, and their special Read more

Betting Preview: Stanford Cardinal at Oregon Ducks

Autzen Stadium will be rockin’ for Saturday’s Stanford at Oregon showdown. Oregon is loaded with speed on both sides of the football, and the fast field turf certainly fits this team’s profile. In addition, sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas figures to settle in and play with more confidence in Eugene. Offensively the Ducks should be fine in this game as they scored 41 points in Palo Alto last year, while rolling up 570 yards of total offense. Keep in mind, the Ducks did punt an amazing 11 times last Saturday in Tempe which coupled with the pillow soft schedule suggests this team does in fact have flaws. Defense is my real concern for Oregon as it allowed 597 yards of offense against the Sun Devils. The key has been forcing turnovers, something the Ducks have thrived in doing with seven last week and nation-leading 18 on the campaign.

Betting Preview: Oregon Ducks at Arizona State Sun Devils

The Ducks have simply dominated the opposition this season, outscoring their three opponents by a combined score of 189-13. The schedule has been rather easy with home games against New Mexico and Portland State and a road victory over a rebuilding Tennessee squad – though they did score an impressive 45 straight points. The slate gets much tougher on Saturday with a trip to Tempe. The Oregon program has sacrificed size over speed with track star types like LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner in the backfield. Another key for the Ducks has been the play of sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas, who thus far as look just as impressive and effective as any of UO’s previous signal callers.

Not much was expected from the Sun Devils this season with many projecting them towards the bottom of the PAC-10. With not even 10 returning starters on board and a dismal 4-8 record a year ago, it easy to Read more

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